Hunger Games, Game of Thrones. Are they literary representations of life? Allegories. Do they go deeper than what we read or experience in the book, film, or show? Do they represent how people have become connected or disconnected from each other? What value is placed on life?

From the very top down, are we all divided? Or are we all one. Where does this sit within you?

The time in between is the best time. It is a time to take in every moment, every gesture, every sight, sound, smell, and taste. It’s holiday time, it’s always. The time is now. Savor it. Pause and draw your awareness to the moment. Fully in it. Breathe in the life force. Live life now. Make your “dash” count.

Simplicity is an art form. It is under appreciated. How often do we find ourselves impressed with speech, works of architecture, works of art, or even concepts that are so complicated – in their essence – that we keep looking at them and thinking about them? While there is a place for this, try looking at something simple. Something that allows you to view it with ease and clarity. There is beauty in this. The mind can take it in and process it without over thinking. Opinions, emotions, and perceptions can take form with more immediacy. Simplicity is accessible. Simplicity transcends differences in age, gender, background and so on. Simplicity is powerful. What do you do to bring about simplicity?

From “A Thought for Each Day” The Golden Present by Swami Satchidananda, the amazing Yoga Master who opened Woodstock in 1969 setting the stage for peace:

Choosing Peace

When anything comes to you, first ask yourself, “Will I be maintaining my peace by getting this, or will my peace be disturbed?” Ask that for everything. People you would like to be with, possessions you would like to acquire. It doesn’t matter what you want to do; strike that against the touchstone of peace. “Will this rob me of my peace?” If the answer is “Yes, you must choose peace or the other thing,” you should always choose peace. If the answer is, “My peace will not be disturbed by it,” okay, you can have that and still have your peace. That should be our aim.

Wise words. Think about the next time you’re ready to hit send on a controversial email, whether it is in business or your personal life. Is it biased, is it political, is it religious? Any of these may be okay. But take it a step further by asking yourself if this will disturb your peace in some way. If the answer is yes, save it as a draft and think on it a bit more. If it is something on social media, save your post or reply for a later time or day. Set a reminder in your phone.